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One of my favorite things to do when I visit hotels is sample their menu. I love that each hotel has a unique perspective on food & beverage. I love that our restaurants take a cue from their communities and offer options that represent the culture and vibrancy of the city they are in.

Last year, Marriott launched a new program called CANVAS. Canvas connects the appeal of local fare with the passion and drive of local entrepreneurs. We thought… we’ve got the space and the know-how for good business… why not give entrepreneurs, chefs and bartenders a chance to succeed with our help?

I recently met one of the Canvas start-up chefs. Megan Lanasa is known as the “pizza gypsy” of Baltimore, Maryland … taking artisan wood-fired pizza around the streets of her city. We saw an opportunity to make a space a destination and asked Megan to see where her passion for pizza could take her if she had the space, funding and mentoring she needed. I got to taste-test her creations, and let me tell you, it was delicious!

The concept has been taking off around the world. We have a Canvas lab in London, where an entrepreneur came up with the idea to have a picnic on the roof. And, in Dubai… a new concept takes diners from brunch to nightlife.

Take a look at the video to learn more about the dedicated entrepreneurs who are making their dreams come true in our hotels… in Shenzhen, Dubai, London, Budapest and Baltimore.

I’m Bill Marriott and thanks for helping me keep Marriott on the move.